20 Rizal cops cited for safe rescue of hostage victim

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Twenty members of the Rizal police have been commended for safely rescuing a baby girl taken hostage by her own father in Taytay town on Tuesday.

Col. Felipe Maraggun, chief of the Rizal police, and his men, Lt. Cols. Marlon Solero and Gaylor Pagala, were among 20 officers cited by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for properly handling the incident.

Napolcom-Calabarzon director Owen de Luna said Maraggun acted as ground commander and negotiator during the three-hour hostage drama that occurred in Barangay Sta. Ana.

De Luna said Solero and Pagala assisted Maraggun during the negotiation until they successfully persuaded the hostage-taker to surrender peacefully.

Also commended were investigators and officers who secured the perimeter and controlled the crowd during the incident.

“Because of the quick thinking and care shown by Maraggun, his men and Taytay Mayor Allan de Leon, the suspect surrendered peacefully and the child was rescued,” De Luna told The STAR yesterday.

Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan congratulated and honored the officers for their bravery and efforts to maintain order.

Records showed that on Jan. 25, Marvin Apura, 26, armed with a bladed weapon, took his daughter hostage along C6 road.

The incident was livestreamed on social media by witnesses and netizens.

Police said a family problem reportedly drove the suspect to take his baby hostage.